Classic Supernatural Drama That Launched A TV Franchise Comes Back To Life On Streaming

2 weeks ago 7

Paul Wesley as Stefan looking serious in The Vampire Diaries

Published Jan 28, 2026, 9:42 AM EST

Nick Bythrow is a Lead Writer for ScreenRant. He has been writing for the site since September 2022. He graduated from Hampshire College in 2022, where he triple majored in Journalism, Communications, and Media Studies. When he's not writing about TV and movies for ScreenRant and his blog, Frayed Branches, Nick is penning speculative fiction and poetry on Amazon. He lives outside Boston, Massachusetts.

A classic supernatural drama that launched a decade-long TV franchise comes back to life on Netflix, earning global recognition. There have been a number of supernatural drama TV series that have become staples of entertainment history. From the many seasons of Supernatural to streaming juggernauts like Stranger Things, there are plenty of series that have made their mark on TV.

Another show in this category is The Vampire Diaries, a supernatural drama based on the book series of the same name by L.J. Smith. The show follows Elena Gilbert, who becomes embroiled in the supernatural lives of vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore. The show ran eight seasons and spawned two spinoffs, The Originals and Legacies.

Now, FlixPatrol reports that The Vampire Diaries has become a streaming hit, earning a spot on Netflix's global Top 10. According to the website's data, the supernatural TV series is Number 9 in the world on the platform. This includes a Number 1 spot in Jamaica, with the show's success coming from its placement on lists in international territories.

Nina Dobrev in The Vampire Diaries season 3, episode 4

The Vampire Diaries is not available for streaming on Netflix in the United States. Instead, the show is available on HBO Max and Peacock. This means the global success it's earned comes from its release in other countries, showcasing a massive international interest in the series, nine years after it ended. It's a good sign for the franchise's longevity as well.

Although The Vampire Diaries ended in 2017, the show brought about a massive TV franchise that lasted until 2022. This includes The Originals, a spinoff centering on the Mikaelson family which lasted from 2013 to 2018, and Legacies, a monster of the week show about Hope Mikaelson, the daughter of Klaus Mikaelson and Hayley Marshall.

However, the original series was always the most popular, making it clear why it managed to make its way onto streaming despite how long it's been since it ended. The Vampire Diaries' characters have not only become classic names in fantasy TV, but go through their own story arcs that only grow more complex with its supernatural world as the show unfolds.

Given how popular The Vampire Diaries has become on Netflix, the show clearly still has plenty of people around the world engaged in its story. Because of its easy-to-digest presentation and sporting eight seasons of twists and turns, there's plenty of content for subscribers to watch as they see its story evolve over the years.